Container support clip



Nov. 3, 1964 M. K. CASSELLS CONTAINER SUPPORT CLIP 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1962 I INVENTOR MELVIN K. cAssEus BY I} ATTORNEYS Nov. 3, 1964 M. K. CASSELLS CONTAINER SUPPORT CLIP I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 14, 1962 M. K. CASSELLS CONTAINER SUPPORT CLIP Nov. 3, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 14, 1962 Flo. H

FIG. l5

new

He. I5

tical attitude on a wall or the like.

United States Patent 3,155,360 CONTAINER SUPPORT CLIP Melvin K. Cassells, 67 Vine Hill Road, West Hartford, Conn.

Filed Feb. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 173,244 11 Claims. (Cl. 248-313) This invention relates to a container support clip of the type which may be mounted on a wall or other vertical surface to releasably hold small jars or other containers. Such jars or containers find widespread secondary use in home workshops and the like for holding small nails, screws, etc.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a support clip of the type mentioned and which is adapted to releasably hold a wide variety of types of jars and other containers and wherein each of the several types of jars and containers can be conveniently and yet securely engaged with and disengaged from the clip.

The drawings show three embodiments of the invention and such embodiments will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the constructions disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of a support clip forming a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the clip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view like FIG. 2, but with a container closure member or cap in engagement with the clip.

FIG. 5 is a side view like FIG. 2, but with a container in engagement with the clip.

FIG. 6 is a side view like FIG. 5, but with another type of container in engagement with the clip.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the support clip in inverted attitude with a container closure member or cap held thereby in a manner different from that shown in FIG. 4.

, FIG. 8 is like FIG. 7, but shows still another type of container held by the clip.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the clip in an upright attitude and holding still another typeof container with its closure member or cap in place.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of a container support clip forming a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the clip of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a front view ofthe clip of FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of a container support clip forming a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the clip of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the clip of FIGS. 13 and 14.

The container support clip of the present invention is preferably but not necessarily formed from a single sheet metal blank. The clip shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is so formed andincludes a backplate section indicated generally at It and which is adapted to be detachably mounted in a ver- As shown, the backplate 10 is provided with an opening 12 which is generally of the keyhole type and through which a small nail or screw may be entered to secure the clip to a wall. The opening 12 has reduced width extensions 14 and 16 at the top and bottom portions thereof so that the clip may be conveniently mounted in an upright attitude as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, or, alternatively, in an inverted attitude as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, it will be observed that the support clip comprises a first container supporting section indicated generally at 18. Preferably, a lower end portion of the backplate section It) is offset forwardly as shown and the container supporting section 18 is formed integrally therewith and extends forwardly and thence upwardly with respect thereto. The reference numeral20 designates a forwardly extending portion of the container supporting section 18 and the numeral 22 represents a generally upwardly extending portion thereof.

Formed integrally with and extending forwardly from an upper end portion of the first container supporting section 18 is a second supporting section 24 best illustrated in FIG. 2. The said second section has a main or body portion 26 and an upwardly offset small central portion 28. The main or body portion 26 of the section is generally semicylindrical in configuration and is concave viewed upwardly. Similarly, the small central portion 28 is generally semicylindrical and concave upwardly but with a smaller radius .of curvature than the main or body portion 26.

A third container supporting section 30, best shown in FIG. 2, is formed integrally with a front end portion of the second supporting section 24 and extends generally downwardly therefrom. Preferably, and as shown, the third supporting section 30 has a lower end portionSZ which extends angularly outwardly and downwardly with respect to the remaining part of said section. Additionally, said third supporting section includes an upright hook portion 34 which is disposed above the said lower end portion 32 and which has a rear end portion formed integrally with supporting section. More specifically, the hook 34 is formed from a small portion of the third supporting section 30 which is severed from the body of the section and appropriately bent, FIG. 3. A rear part 3-5 of the hook 34 extends generally horizontally forwardly and a front part 38 thereof extends approximately vertically upwardly therefrom as shown.

Preferably and as shown, additional container supporting means is formed integrally with the backplate section 18 at an upper end portion thereof. Said means may comprise a downwardly open and forwardly projecting hook 40 as shown. Further, at least one and preferably two tabs cooperate with the hook 40. As shown, two tabs 42, 42 are provided, FIGS. 1 and 3, and the said tabs project downwardly and forwardly above and in spaced relationship with the hook 40.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 4, it will be observed therein that a closure member or cap 44 is partially shown in section and in engagement with the support clip of FIGS. 1 to 3. The closure member or cap 44 is of a type commonly referred to as a twist-off cap. Such caps have a bead 45 formed internally and extending annularly about their lower edge portions. At circumaxially spaced intervals enlargements are formed on the bead and these enlargements cooperate with threads or partial threads formed on the jar or other container when the cap is rotated to a closed position on the jar or container. Preferably, the cap or closure member 44 is engaged with the container support clip in an area which falls betweensuch enlargements of the bead 46.

In engaging the cap 44 with the support clip, the head 46 on the cap and the side wall 48 thereof isentered downwardly to the position shown between the backplate section 10 of the clip and the first container supporting section 18 thereof. The section 18 is resiliently defiectable forwardly to accommodate entry of the bed 46 and side wall 48 of the cap :and the said section thereafter frictionally holds the cap in the position shown.

The reference numeral 50 designates a generally semicylindrical concave clamping surface formed at a lower end portion of the rear surface of the first container supporting section 18. As will be observed, the said clamping surface 50 engages the bead 46 on the cap 44 and is maintained in firm engagement therewith due to the resiliency of the section 18. Additionally, an upper portion of the container supporting section 18 engages the side wall 48 of the cap 44 at an area 52. Still further, the upper surface of the aforesaid central portion 28 of the second supporting section 24 engages an annular shoulder 54 on the cap 44. Thus, it will be seen that the cap is securely and yet releasably held by the support clip of the invention.

In FIG. 5, a portion of a container 56 is shown in engagement with the support clip. Said container may be a jar adapted for cooperation withthe twist-01f cap 44 of FIG. 4. As shown, a thread or a portion of a thread 58 is provided on the jar. A neck 60 of the jar carrying the thread or thread portion 58 is entered upwardly between the first and third container supporting sections 18 and 30 of the support clip. A second generally semicylindrical concave clamping surface 62 formed on the front surface of the first supporting section 18 receives the thread or thread portion 58 and said surface is maintained in engagement with the thread or thread portion by the resiliency of the first and third supporting sections, the section 30 being resiliently defiectable forwardly to accommodate the upward entry of the neck 60 and thread 58. Additionally, it will be observed that engagement occurs at an area 64 between an upper edge portion of the neckfit) and a clamping surface 66 comprising the lower face of the central portion 28 of the second container supporting section 24.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a jar such as 56 can be securely and yet releasably held by the support clip of the present invention. Moreover, the said support clip can releasably hold the cap 44 alone, the jar 56 alone, and the clip can also hold both the cap and the jar. That is, the cap 44 may be engaged with the clip as shown in FIG. 4. Thereafter, the jar 56 may be turned into the cap and into engagement with the support clip as shown in FIG. 5. Still further, the jar may be turned out of the cap and out of engagement with the support clip for removal of nails, screws, etc., and may thereafter be returned to engagement with the cap and clip.

In FIG. 6 the support clip of FIGS. 1 to is shown in holding engagement with a portion of the jar 68 adapted for engagement with a cap of the pry-off type. Such jars ordinarily have a bead such as the bead 70 arranged adjacent the upper edge portion of their neck. The jar 68 may be entered upwardly between the first and third supporting sections 18 and 30 of the support clip in the manner of the jar 56. The jar is held, however, primarily by the resiliency of the supporting section 30 and a clamping surface 72 separate from the clamping surface 62. During entry of the jar 68, as in the case of entry of the jar 56, the portion 32 of the supporting section 30 provides a camming surface 74. That is, the said surface is initially engaged by the upper edge portion of the neck of the jar and upward movement of said edge portion serves to urge the supporting section 30 forwardly to accommodate entry of the neck portion between the sections 18 and 30.

The clamping surface 72 is generally semicylindrical in shape and concave and is formed by an upper portion of the supporting section 18 and a rear portion of the second supporting section 24. Removal of the jar 68 for use of its contents may of course be accomplished merely by urging the same downwardly from between the supporting sections 18 and 30.

In FIG. 7 the support clip of FIGS. 1 through 6 is shown in an inverted attitude and a closure member or cap 76 is releasably held thereby. The aforesaid hook 40 is engaged with a lower edge portion 78 of the cap and the central portion 28 of the second container supporting section 24 engages an annular shoulder 80 on the cap. The design of the support clip is such that the vertical distance between the portion 28 and the hook 40 is slightly less than the height of a standard size screw-on" cap 76. Thus, the hook 4t? and the supporting sections of the clip may be deflected slightly to place the cap in the position shown. Thereafter, the resiliency of the clip will hold the cap in position and an associated jar may be turned into the cap so as to be suspended therefrom and held thereby.

In FIG. 8 the support clip is again shown in an inverted attitude and in engagement with a portion of a small metal can 82. An annular bead 84 at the lip of the can is entered between the hook 40 and the tabs 42, 42. Again, forced entry and deflection of the clip portion is provided for the resiliency of the hook 40 and the tabs 42, 42 insures the secure support of the can.

In FIG. 9 the support clip is shown in an upright attitude and in engagement with the cap 86 and a jar 88, both partially shown. More specifically, the aforesaid hook 34 supports the cap and jar by engagement with a lower edge portion 90 of the cap. End surface 92 of the aforementioned lower end portion 32 of the supporting section 38 engages the jar 88 whereby to hold the same in approximately a vertical attitude.

In FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 there is shown a support clip comprising a second embodiment of the present invention. Said clip is identical with the aforedescribed clip in all respects except for the provision of a hook 94 and a small stop 96. The hook 94 projects rearwardly from a backplate section 10a and opens downwardly so as to be entered in an opening 98 in a wall member 108 and to engage a rear surface thereof whereby to hold the support clip in position. The stop 96 engages the front surface of the wall member and prevents the support clip from swinging inwardly at its lower end portion. As will be apparent, the wall member 100 may comprise a section of perforated material commonly referred to as peg board.

In FIGS. 13 through 15 there is shown a support clip having a rearwardly projecting hook 94a. The said clip is substantially identical with those described above except for the elimination of the upper portion of the base plate section 1% and the aforedescribed additional container supporting means comprising the hook 40 and the tabs 42, 42. The hook 94a cooperates with a wall member or peg board in substantially the same manner as the hook Q4.

The invention claimed is:

1. A container support clip comprising a backplate section adapted to be detachably mounted in a vertical attitude on a wall or the like, a first container supporting section integral with a lower end portion of said backplate section and extending forwardly and thence upwardly with respect to said portion, a second container supporting section integral with and extending generally forwardly from an upper end portion of said first supporting section, and a third container supporting section integral with and extending generally downwardly from a front end portion of said second supporting section, said first supporting section having a generally semicylindrical concave clamping surface over a portion of its front surface for receiving an enlargement at an upper portion of a container entered upwardly between said first and third supporting sections, and said third supporting section being resiliently defiectable forwardly so as to accommodate entry of said container portion and to thereafter frictionally hold the same in engagement with said clamping surface.

2. A container support clip comprising a backplate sectlon adapted to be detachably mounted in a vertical attitude on a wall or the like, a first container supporting section integral with a lower end portion of said backplate section and extending forwardly and thence upwardly with respect to said portion, a second container supporting section integral with and extending generally forwardly from an upper end portion of said first supporting section, and a third container supporting section integral with and extending generally downwardly from a front end portion of said second supporting section, said first supporting section having first and second generally semicyclindrical concave clamping surfaces disposed re spectively at positions of its rear and front surfaces and adapted respectively to receive an enlargement at a lower portion of a container closure member entered downwardly between said backplate section and said first supporting section and an enlargement at an upper portion of a container entered upwardly between said first and third supporting sections, and said first and third supporting sections each being resiliently deflectable forwardly so as to accommodate the entry respectively of said closure member portion and said container portion and to thereafter frictionally hold the same in engagement with said clamping surfaces.

3. A container support clip as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second generally semicylindrical clamping surfaces are arranged approximately adjacent lower-to-upper order.

4. A container support clip as set forth in claim 3 wherein an upper portion of said front surface of said first supporting section and a rear portion of the lower surface of said second supporting section cooperatively form a third concave generally semicylindrical clamping surface disposed above said second clamping surface and adapted to receive an enlargement at an upper portion of a container entered upwardly between said first and third supporting sections.

5. A container support clip as set forth in claim 4 wherein said third supporting section extends angularly outwardly and downwardly at its lower end portion to provide a camming surface at the rear of said portion, said camming surface being initially engaged by an upper edge portion of a container entered between said first and third supporting sections to deflect said third supporting section forwardly during entry.

6. A container support clip as set forth in claim 5 wherein said third supporting section includes an upright hook portion disposed above said lower end portion of the section and arranged so as to be integral with the section at a rear end portion but otherwise separate therefrom, said hook portion having a rear part integrally connected with said third supporting section and extending forwardly therefrom and a front part integrally connected with a front end portion of said rear part and extending upwardly therefrom so as to be entered between the closure member and the body of a container to support the same, the aforesaid lower end portion of said third supporting section serving at its free edge surface to engage such a container below the hook portion and hold the same in an approximately vertical attitude.

7. A container support clip as set forth in claim 5 wherein said second supporting section is generally semicyl'mdrical in configuration and is concave viewed upwardly with a central portion thereof ofiset upwardly and also generally semicylindrical and concave upwardly but with a smaller radius of curvature than the remaining portions of said section, the lower surface of said central portion of said section providing a fourth clamping surface for engagement with an upper edge portion of a container entered between said first and third supporting sections and engaging one of said clamping surfaces on the front surface of said first supporting section..

8. A container support clip as set forth in claim 7 wherein the clip is formed of sheet metal and wherein the back-plate section thereof is provided with a rearwardly projecting downwardly open book, said hook being adapted to mount the clip on a vertical wall member or the like by entry through an opening in the member and engagement with a rear surface of the member.

9. A container support clip as set forth in claim 7 wherein the backplate section of the clip has additional container supporting means integral therewith at an upper end portion thereof, said additional supporting means comprising a downwardly open forwardly projecting hook and at least one downwardly and forwardly projecting tab disposed above the hook, said tab and the adjacent portion of said hook serving cooperatively to support a container when a beaded upper edge portion thereof is entered therebetween with the clip in an inverted attitude, and said hook and the aforesaid central portion of said second supporting section serving cooperatively to support a container closure member when the same is entered therebetween with the clip in an inverted attitude.

10. A container support clip as set forth in claim 9 wherein the clip is formed of sheet metal and wherein a portion of the backplate section thereof between said supporting sections and said additional container supporting means is provided with an opening generally of the keyhole type for mounting the clip on a wall member or the like.

11. A container support clip as set forth in claim 10 wherein the backplate section thereof is provided with a rearwardly projecting downwardly open hook, said hook being adapted to mount the clip on a vertical wall member or the like by entry through an opening in the member and engagement with a rear surface of the member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,422,676 Czarnecki July 11, 1922 1,491,286 Calhoun Apr. 22, 1924 2,369,480 Mills Feb. 13, 1945 2,713,469 Wright July 19, 1955 2,951,672 Bott Sept. 6, 1960 3,019,954 Faltin Feb. 6, 1962 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 155,360 November 3, 1964 Melvin K. Cassells It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 9, after "for" insert and column 5 line 1, for "positions read portions Signed and sealed this 16th day of March 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER l Attcsting Officer v Commissioner of Patents 

1. A CONTAINER SUPPORT CLIP COMPRISING A BACKPLATE SECTION ADAPTED TO BE DETACHABLY MOUNTED IN A VERTICAL ATTITUDE ON A WALL OR THE LIKE, A FIRST CONTAINER SUPPORTING SECTION INTEGRAL WITH A LOWER END PORTION OF SAID BACKPLATE SECTION AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY AND THENCE UPWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID PORTION, A SECOND CONTAINER SUPPORTING SECTION INTEGRAL WITH AND EXTENDING GENERALLY FORWARDLY FROM AN UPPER END PORTION OF SAID FIRST SUPPORTING SECTION, AND A THIRD CONTAINER SUPPORTING SECTION INTEGRAL WITH AND EXTENDING GENERALLY DOWNWARDLY FROM A FRONT END PORTION OF SAID SECOND SUPPORTING SECTION, SAID FIRST SUPPORTING SECTION HAVING A GENERALLY SEMICYLINDRICAL CONCAVE CLAMPING SURFACE OVER A PORTION OF ITS FRONT SURFACE FOR RECEIVING AN ENLARGEMENT AT AN UPPER PORTION OF A CONTAINER ENTERED UPWARDLY BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND THIRD SUPPORTING SECTIONS, AND SAID THIRD SUPPORTING SECTION BEING RESILIENTLY DEFLECTABLE FORWARDLY SO AS TO ACCOMMODATE ENTRY OF SAID CONTAINER PORTION AND TO THEREAFTER FRICTIONALLY HOLD THE SAME IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CLAMPING SURFACE. 